In a heartfelt plea for peace, Pope Francis has called for an end to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, expressing deep concerns about the dire situation in Gaza and the looming humanitarian catastrophe. Using his social media platform, formerly known as Twitter, the Pope made a poignant statement, saying, "The situation in Gaza is reaching a point of desperation. We must do everything within our power to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe. The potential escalation of the conflict is deeply troubling. Let the weapons fall silent, and let the cry for peace resonate from the voices of the poor, the people, and the children!"

In response to the Pope's appeal, a user remarked that the conflict had turned into a simplistic "binary game," reminding everyone that hundreds and thousands of innocent lives, including children, were being lost. It was a call to stand up for humanity. Another user, however, blamed those involved, stating, "They started something they cannot finish, and they will reap what they sow, as the law of karma dictates." Yet another user echoed the Pope's message, asserting, "Peace is what the region needs most."

Pope Francis emphasized that war does not offer solutions but rather paves the way for death and destruction. He underscored the importance of seeking peaceful resolutions to conflicts.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has taken steps to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza by planning to dispatch approximately 20 truckloads of aid to the Gaza Strip. The Israeli government has granted permission for humanitarian aid to enter southern Gaza from Egypt, with the condition that none of the aid will be diverted to the Hamas militant group.

The United States exercised its veto power at the United Nations Security Council, blocking a resolution related to the conflict that had initially been proposed by Brazil. In the vote, the United Kingdom and Russia abstained, while the remaining 12 Security Council members supported the resolution. The proposed resolution aimed to establish "humanitarian pauses" to facilitate aid delivery to Gaza. It also condemned the attacks by Hamas and categorized the group as "terrorists." Additionally, the resolution called for the immediate release of civilian hostages.

The United States has imposed sanctions on several individuals associated with Hamas' financial interests, including two high-ranking members of the organization's leadership, with the aim of limiting their ability to raise funds. According to an announcement from the US Treasury Department on October 18, six of the sanctioned individuals are alleged to manage an investment portfolio valued at hundreds of millions of dollars, involving companies located in Turkey, Algeria, Sudan, the United Arab Emirates, and other nations.

President Biden's Diplomatic Mission to Tel Aviv Amid Escalation Concerns

UK PM Rishi Sunak Embarks on Diplomatic Mission to Israel

Israel-Hamas Conflict: 13 Days In: Latest Updates and Developments